Development and Performance Testing of a Combined Cultivating Implement and Organic Fertilizer Applicator for Sugarcane Ratooning
Efficient sugarcane ratooning management requires maintaining soil organic carbon (SOC) balance and improving soil physical properties. Retaining agricultural residues and applying organic fertilizers are essential for sustaining SOC levels. However, excessive soil compaction caused by heavy machine...
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MDPI AG
2025-04-01
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| Series: | AgriEngineering |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2624-7402/7/4/105 |
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| author | Wanrat Abdullakasim Kawee Khongman Watcharachan Sukcharoenvipharat Prathuang Usaborisut |
| author_facet | Wanrat Abdullakasim Kawee Khongman Watcharachan Sukcharoenvipharat Prathuang Usaborisut |
| author_sort | Wanrat Abdullakasim |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Efficient sugarcane ratooning management requires maintaining soil organic carbon (SOC) balance and improving soil physical properties. Retaining agricultural residues and applying organic fertilizers are essential for sustaining SOC levels. However, excessive soil compaction caused by heavy machinery remains a challenge, and no existing implements are specifically designed to alleviate soil compaction and apply organic fertilizers in sugarcane ratoon fields. This study aimed to design, develop, and evaluate an organic fertilizer applicator capable of performing a single-step operation that integrates subsoiling, fertilizer application, and soil mixing. The developed implement consists of four main components: (1) a pyramid-shaped hopper, (2) a two-way horizontal screw conveyor, (3) a subsoiler, and (4) a disk harrow set. The results indicated that the specific mass flow rate is directly proportional to screw size and inversely proportional to PTO shaft speed. The optimal configuration for the organic fertilizer applicator included an 18-inch harrow set, a 10-degree harrow angle, an inclined-leg subsoiler, and the Low3 gear at 1900 rpm, which required a draft force of 12.75 kN. Field performance tests demonstrated an actual field capacity of 0.89 ha·h<sup>−1</sup> and a field efficiency of 66.17%, confirming the implement’s effectiveness in improving soil conditions and integrating tillage with fertilizer application. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-12a5fdd458d94e809be0783c56e7730c |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2624-7402 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | AgriEngineering |
| spelling | doaj-art-12a5fdd458d94e809be0783c56e7730c2025-08-20T02:17:14ZengMDPI AGAgriEngineering2624-74022025-04-017410510.3390/agriengineering7040105Development and Performance Testing of a Combined Cultivating Implement and Organic Fertilizer Applicator for Sugarcane RatooningWanrat Abdullakasim0Kawee Khongman1Watcharachan Sukcharoenvipharat2Prathuang Usaborisut3Department of Agricultural Engineering, Faculty of Engineering at Kamphaeng Saen, Kasetsart University, Kamphaeng Saen Campus, Nakhon Pathom 73140, ThailandDepartment of Agricultural Engineering, Faculty of Engineering at Kamphaeng Saen, Kasetsart University, Kamphaeng Saen Campus, Nakhon Pathom 73140, ThailandDepartment of Agricultural Engineering, Faculty of Engineering at Kamphaeng Saen, Kasetsart University, Kamphaeng Saen Campus, Nakhon Pathom 73140, ThailandDepartment of Agricultural Engineering, Faculty of Engineering at Kamphaeng Saen, Kasetsart University, Kamphaeng Saen Campus, Nakhon Pathom 73140, ThailandEfficient sugarcane ratooning management requires maintaining soil organic carbon (SOC) balance and improving soil physical properties. Retaining agricultural residues and applying organic fertilizers are essential for sustaining SOC levels. However, excessive soil compaction caused by heavy machinery remains a challenge, and no existing implements are specifically designed to alleviate soil compaction and apply organic fertilizers in sugarcane ratoon fields. This study aimed to design, develop, and evaluate an organic fertilizer applicator capable of performing a single-step operation that integrates subsoiling, fertilizer application, and soil mixing. The developed implement consists of four main components: (1) a pyramid-shaped hopper, (2) a two-way horizontal screw conveyor, (3) a subsoiler, and (4) a disk harrow set. The results indicated that the specific mass flow rate is directly proportional to screw size and inversely proportional to PTO shaft speed. The optimal configuration for the organic fertilizer applicator included an 18-inch harrow set, a 10-degree harrow angle, an inclined-leg subsoiler, and the Low3 gear at 1900 rpm, which required a draft force of 12.75 kN. Field performance tests demonstrated an actual field capacity of 0.89 ha·h<sup>−1</sup> and a field efficiency of 66.17%, confirming the implement’s effectiveness in improving soil conditions and integrating tillage with fertilizer application.https://www.mdpi.com/2624-7402/7/4/105combined cultivating implementorganic fertilizer applicatorsoil compactionsoil organic carbonsugarcane ratooning |
| spellingShingle | Wanrat Abdullakasim Kawee Khongman Watcharachan Sukcharoenvipharat Prathuang Usaborisut Development and Performance Testing of a Combined Cultivating Implement and Organic Fertilizer Applicator for Sugarcane Ratooning AgriEngineering combined cultivating implement organic fertilizer applicator soil compaction soil organic carbon sugarcane ratooning |
| title | Development and Performance Testing of a Combined Cultivating Implement and Organic Fertilizer Applicator for Sugarcane Ratooning |
| title_full | Development and Performance Testing of a Combined Cultivating Implement and Organic Fertilizer Applicator for Sugarcane Ratooning |
| title_fullStr | Development and Performance Testing of a Combined Cultivating Implement and Organic Fertilizer Applicator for Sugarcane Ratooning |
| title_full_unstemmed | Development and Performance Testing of a Combined Cultivating Implement and Organic Fertilizer Applicator for Sugarcane Ratooning |
| title_short | Development and Performance Testing of a Combined Cultivating Implement and Organic Fertilizer Applicator for Sugarcane Ratooning |
| title_sort | development and performance testing of a combined cultivating implement and organic fertilizer applicator for sugarcane ratooning |
| topic | combined cultivating implement organic fertilizer applicator soil compaction soil organic carbon sugarcane ratooning |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2624-7402/7/4/105 |
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